On Monday, the chiller-compressor underneath the cement floor was turned on, giving the surface a slick coating and clashing with the warm air to create a cold mist.

Wednesday the serious business of creating a rink for hockey and skating begins. That is when 3,000 gallons of water will be sprayed onto the cement floor, the temperature of which will be 15 degrees. That is chilled enough to make ice one sixteenth of an inch in depth.

This is not the garden hose in the back yard.

Theres a science to it, said city Parks and Recreation Department Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Matthew R. Denner. You got to know what youre doing.

The arena will be open to the public Oct. 22.

This is the 12th full winter season for the city-owned building, which opened in January 2001.

Ice time has already been booked, Mr. Denner said. Besides the public, the The arenas primary users are Ogdensburg Minor Hockey, Ogdensburg Figure Skating Club and the Young Timers.

Once the ice surface is laid down, it will be spray-coated white and then colored hockey game lines will be painted on.

After that and until Sunday, a Zamboni will apply water in cycles so that the rink will be an inch to an inch and a quarter thick for opening day.